은/는 vs 이/가
Try it freeContrast quizPick the right form in a mini quiz.Open →Explanation
은/는 marks the topic. What you are talking about, often known information or contrast: 저는 학생이에요.
이/가 marks the grammatical subject, often new information or focus: 누가 왔어요? → 친구가 왔어요.
Batchim → 은 / 이; open syllable → 는 / 가. The choice is meaning, not “which is more polite.”
Same noun, different jobs: 고양이는 귀여워요 (as for cats…) vs 고양이가 있어요 (there is a cat / a cat exists).
If you are answering “who/what did it?”, start with 이/가. If you are setting a theme or contrasting, 은/는 is usually right.
Examples
저는 커피를 좋아해요.
As for me, I like coffee. (topic)
친구가 왔어요.
A friend came. (subject focus)
오늘은 시간이 없어요.
As for today, I don’t have time.
Common mistakes
- Treating 은/는 and 이/가 as free swaps.
- Always using 은/는 because self-intros start with 저는.
Keep learning
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